Sports

A reminder on The Horry Scale: It breaks down a game-winning buzzer-beater (GWBB) in the categories of difficulty, game situation (was the team tied or behind at the time?), importance (playoff game or garden-variety night in November?) and celebration. Then we give it an overall grade on a scale of 1-5 Robert Horrys, named for the patron saint of last-second answered prayers. [...]

NEW YORK -- Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore has been fined $10,000 for throwing the ball into the spectator stands, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. [...]

NEW YORK – Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse has been fined $15,000 for public criticism of the officiating, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. [...]

NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced details of the second annual Jr. NBA Global Championship, a youth basketball tournament for the top 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls teams from around the world that will be held Aug. 6-11 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla. Thirty-two teams will participate in a week of on-court competition and off-court programming centered on the Jr. NBA's core values of teamwork, respect, determination and community. [...]

NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and FanDuel today announced an expanded multiyear partnership making FanDuel an Authorized Gaming Operator of the NBA, in addition to continuing as the Official Daily Fantasy Partner of the NBA and the WNBA. [...]

Through the season's first 30 games, Houston and Utah were considered surprises for all the wrong reasons. The Rockets' defense, vital to their near-Finals run last year, went AWOL. Ditto for the Jazz, who have augmented that underachievement with an anemic offense that ranks 24th in the league. [...]

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was celebrating scoring a goal against Tottenham when a fan threw a banana skin from the stands.
A Tottenham fan has been banned from football matches for four years for throwing a banana skin at an Arsenal player who is black.
Averof Panteli was found guilty of a "targeted gesture" aimed at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a "racial element."
Editors' Picks
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Welcome to the 2018 FC 100
ESPN FC's experts ranked the best men's players and managers in world football. Check out the list.
Jose Mourinho's Last Stand
Deliberate isolation. Petty feuds. Constant turmoil. The Manchester United manager wouldn't have it any other way, writes Sam Borden.
Kylian Mbappe and the curse of the World Cup
Is there such a thing as peaking too early? Given all that Kylian Mbappe, just 19, has accomplished, we might soon find out.
- Fantasy: Set lineups, check scores!
Aubameyang was celebrating scoring a goal in front of visiting Tottenham fans at Emirates Stadium on Dec. 2.
Panteli, who lives in Norwich, got a 4-year ban and was ordered to pay £635 ($800) in fines and court costs.
He pleaded guilty to throwing... [...]

Thomas Tuchel is convinced PSG can beat Manchester United after the two European heavyweights were drawn against eachother in the UEFA Champions Leauge round of 16, but insists it will not be straight forward. [...]

River Plate
Al-Ain
(4) 2
(5) 2
FT-Pens
Al-Ain wins 5-4 on Penalty Kicks.
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Lineups and Stats
Al Ain players celebrate their victory over River Plate in the Club World Cup semifinals.
Al Ain beat South American champions River Plate 5-4 on penalties to reach the Club World Cup final after their last-four clash finished 2-2 after 90 minutes and extra time on Tuesday.
Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa saved the decisive penalty to earn his team a spot in Saturday's final where they will face Spain's Real Madrid or Japan's Kashima Antlers.
River Plate's Gonzalo Martinez had the chance to put the Argentine team 3-2 ahead in 69th minute from the penalty spot but hit the crossbar.
Al Ain... [...]

The transfer window is nearly upon us, but clubs across Europe are already planning for their January business. Who will come in? Who will depart?
ESPN FC's club correspondents delve into the deals which may be on the cards.
Premier League
MAN CITY: In need of a holding midfielder
Transfers
How a transfer works
With help from former Tottenham and Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli, we show you a step-by-step guide to a transfer.
What's a medical like?
Can a 44-year-old man cut it in the Premier League? Our writer suffers -- and suffers some more -- through a medical at Everton.
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FC Exclusives
- Arsenal want Bailly, Cahill
- Pogba not for sale; Juve keen
- Steffen on brink of Man City transfer
- Under eyed by City, Arsenal, Chelsea
- Real Madrid interested in Diaz
What does the team need in January?
Manchester City have two quality players for every position, with the exception of defensive midfield and left-back. The holding role in the centre of midfield is a crucial... [...]

Lionel Messi moves ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo with his fifth Golden Shoe award, given to the leading goal scorer in European football.
Lionel Messi said he never expected to have such a successful career after receiving his fifth Golden Shoe on Tuesday, for being the top goalscorer in Europe last season.
The Barcelona forward scored 34 times in La Liga last season to claim his fifth Golden Shoe award, which is one more than Juventus's Cristiano Ronaldo has won.
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- Newcomers to pick and avoid
- Champions League names to know
- La Liga names to know
- Breaking down ESPN's scoring system
Messi pipped Liverpool's Mohamed Salah to the prize after the Egyptian netted 32 times in the Premier League.
"When I started playing I did not expect all this. My dream... [...]

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino plays down the 'rumours' suggesting he's in the running to replace Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
In a tough-to-call Champions League tie between Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund, Steve Nicol explains why Spurs' defence could make the difference.
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that they have extended defender Jan Vertonghen's contract until 2020.
Spurs announced that they have agreed new terms with the Belgium international, who joined from Ajax in 2012 and has made 264 appearances.
In September, 31-year-old Vertonghen said he was not concerned about his future and was optimistic that he would stay at Spurs beyond the current season.
"I have an option in my contract. If Tottenham activate it, I'll be with them for another season, and I... [...]

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to stay with LA Galaxy, the FC crew examine the magnitude of the decision for the player, club and MLS as a whole.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined the Los Angeles Galaxy and immediately left his mark with stunning goals, entertaining quotes & a memorable season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed a contract that gives him Designated Player status ahead of the 2019 season, the LA Galaxy announced on Tuesday.
The former Sweden international was already under contract for next year but had chafed over a deal that paid him $1.5 million in 2018, a season in which he scored 22 goals and had 10 assists in 27 games and was nominated form the league's Most Valuable Player award.
"We are very pleased to sign Zlatan to a new contract that will see him return... [...]

Last week, with the Winter Meetings wrapping up, we put together an updated Power Rankings for potential landing spots for Bryce Harper. We owe it to Manny Machado to run him through the Power Rankings meter himself, particularly with him out meeting with teams this week before the holiday. [...]

Matt Harvey has agreed to a one-year contract with the Angels, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Tuesday. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman tweeted that Harvey is guaranteed $11 million with a chance to earn another $3 million in incentives. [...]

After a seven-season tenure with the Astros that included a trio of 200-inning seasons, an American League Cy Young Award in 2015 and an overall 3.66 ERA, Dallas Keuchel is now a free agent. Here, you will find a list of the latest news and rumors surrounding the left-hander. [...]

The Rangers were able to land a significant free-agent starter for their rotation, as they announced Tuesday they have signed right-hander Lance Lynn to a three-year contract. The deal is for $30 million, according to sources. [...]

Mike Rosenbaum identifies hitters who have the potential to make developmental strides in 2019. That could mean a full-blown breakout campaign for some players, while for others it could simply mean a return to form after a down year. [...]

The Kansas City Royals announced on Tuesday that the club has signed outfielder Terrance Gore to a one-year Major League contract. Consistent with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. [...]

Few familiar with Brodie Van Wagenen's work over the first six weeks of the offseason would guess that he is done adding, moving, shaking as he looks to transform the Mets back into contenders. But even if Van Wagenen is finished adding major pieces to the Mets' roster, he feels they are in prime position to contend. [...]

Todd Gurley is dealing with knee inflammation, and while the injury is minor, no one would blame the Rams for giving him a week or two of rest with almost nothing to gain the rest of the regular season. Well, no one but Gurley's fantasy owners. [...]